French police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Lyon on Saturday as demonstrations against rising living costs and the country’s political leadership resumed across several cities.
The renewed protests prompted authorities to tighten security following violent clashes during demonstrations the previous weekend, when public buildings were vandalised, businesses looted and thousands of people arrested.
In Lyon, officers used tear gas against about 150 demonstrators who gathered near the city centre, where protests had been prohibited. The crowd had briefly attempted to block a road before police intervened.
The French Interior Ministry deployed 70,000 security personnel nationwide amid concerns about further violence. In Paris, several shops boarded up their windows, while the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay museums shut their doors as a precaution.
Police also confiscated prohibited items in the capital, although authorities described the situation there as calm around midday. In Marseille, riot police vehicles, armoured trucks and a water cannon were positioned in the city centre.
The demonstrations coincided with a congress organised by Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party in Orleans, where the party launched its campaign ahead of elections to choose a successor to President Emmanuel Macron.
Thousands of protesters marched against Le Pen’s party and Macron’s government, chanting slogans demanding the president’s resignation and Le Pen’s imprisonment. Police estimated the crowd at 11,000, while organisers put attendance at 26,000.
Protest organisers said public anger was being fuelled by the rising cost of living and concerns about conditions in schools. Inflation has intensified amid the conflict in the Middle East, which has placed additional pressure on energy prices.
The latest demonstrations followed last weekend’s unrest, during which approximately 2,700 people were arrested. Authorities said some of those detained had already received prison sentences, while retailers reported substantial losses from damaged premises and stolen goods.
Macron has blamed extremist left-wing groups for the worst incidents, while his government has sought to distinguish peaceful demonstrations from looting and vandalism. Authorities have said they would permit union-led marches while restricting gatherings considered unauthorised.
The restrictions have drawn criticism from civil liberties groups. The Yellow Vests movement, known for its earlier protests against Macron, accused the government of adopting increasingly authoritarian measures and called for another demonstration on October 31.
Amnesty International also warned that the restrictions threatened the right to peaceful assembly. Human Rights Watch, meanwhile, said police had a responsibility to protect the public from violence while ensuring that peaceful protests could take place safely.
The continuing demonstrations highlight mounting political and economic tensions in France as the country approaches a crucial presidential election.
